Ammunition



Get. 22, 1946. w. J. Low-Es AMMUNITION 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jung 25,1943 l/E' DR miamfllpwes Oct 22, 1946- w. J. Lowes 2,409,945

AMMUNITIQN Filed June 25, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheerl 2 'Nv u S 49, zw L, W ,Y:6 4- 25 37 52 2 298 27'15 26 l a( I9 z/E ZDF( /pm Jlfowe l I@ MM5Patented Oct. 22, 1946 AMMUNITION William J. Lowes, Chicago, Ill.,assignor to Harris Trust and Savings Bank, Chicago, Ill., a corporationof Illinois, as trustee Application .lf une 25, 1943, Serial No. 492,257

(c1. 1oz-64) 6 Claims.

My invention relates in general to ammunition, but more specifically toa grenade or shell which may be thown by hand, or which may be projectedby a propelling charge from a mortar or from a rie grenade launcher.

The shell unit comprises in general a grenade body filled with explosiveand having n structure at one end and at its other end having a noseassembly Within which are elements controlled upon impact of the shellwith the terrain to elect ignition of a fuse for explosion anddisruption of the grenade body.

An important object of my invention is to provide, in the fusecontrolling assembly, a movable vexplosive impact member or nose pro-Vided with a Vprimer or ring cap engageable, upon impact of said impactelement with the terrain, with a liring pin for explosion, and igniktion of the fuse for explosion of. the grenade body.

A further object is to provide improved safety means normally heldinterposed between the priming cap and the firing pin by latch mechanismfrom which the safety means may be manually released when the shell isto be thrown by hand, and which latch means will automatically releasethe safety means when the shell is projected from the mortar or otherweapon by a propelling charge. v

Still another object is to provide latching means, which, uponprojection of the shell by a propelling charge, will be controlled byinertia for release movement of the safety means so that, upon impact ofthe impact member with the terrain, the iiring cap may engage the firingpin for the explosion to set oi the fuse, and with such explosion of theimpact member tending to hurl the shell back into the air for explosionof the shell body while in the air by the fuse which has beenaccordingly timed.

Still another object is to provide the fin structure with a bore forreceiving the end of a rie, or a rifle attachment, Vfor rifle projectionof the shell, or to receive a cartridge holder and cartridge when theshell is to be projected from a weapon such as a mortar.

The above referred to and other features of my inventon are shownembodied in the structure shown on the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the shell;

Figure 2 is a section of plane II-II of Figure 1 of the shell body andfin structure showing the application of a blank cartridge and asupporting bushing therefor in the lbore of the n structure for' mortarfiring of the shell;

FigureV 3 is a section of the cartridge supporting bushing beforeinsertion into the n structure bore;

Figure 4 is a section like Figure 2 but showing the fin structure borereceiving a rifle attachment for projection of the shell from a rifle;

Figure 5 is an end View of the fin structure;

Figure 6 is an enlarged section on plane II--II of Figure l of a portionof the shell body and the impact structure frame showing the retentionpin and the safety pin or bar in normal position;

Figure 7 is a section on plane VII- VII of Figure;

Figure 8 is a section on plane VIII-VIII of Figure '7;

Figure 9 is a section like Figure 'l but with the retention pinwithdrawn and the safety bar released from the safety latch structure;and

Figure 1I) is a section like Figure 6 showing the arrangement of thevarious parts upon impact of the impact member ring cap with the firingpin. c

The shell comprises the substantially elliptical body I0 lled with asuitable explosive and serrated on its outerside to provide segments II.Intermediate its ends the body has the cylindrical belt I2 which willact as a piston when the shell is to be fired from a weapon such as amortar. The inner end wall of the body III has the opening I3 in whichis secured the end I4 of the body I5 of the fin structure F, fins I6extending from the body in radial direction and with the radial extentof the fins such that their outer edges may engage in the bore of amortar to assist the piston belt I2 of the body IIJ in guiding the shellthrough the mortar bore, the ns also serving to guide the flight of theshell.

Mounted on the outer end of the grenade body I Il, concentric therewith,is a nose frame I'I hav- `ing the outer dome-shaped or substantiallysemispherical end I 8. This frame has the exteriorly threaded flange I9extending from its base for threaded engagement in the outer end of thegrenade body I 0 to seat against the annular shoulder 2li. The domed endI8 has the cylindrical passageway ZI therethrough concentric with theframe II and the body Ill, and axially movable in this passageway is theimpact member or nose 22 in the form of a cylindrical cartridge havingthe head 2,3 at its inner end and intermediate its ends acircumferential ridge 24 which normally engages againstthe inner sideof-the domed end I8, as shown on Figure 6. The cartridge is filled withsuitable explosive material and in its head it has the firing cap 25.

The base 26 of the nose frame I1 has a threaded opening therethrough forreceiving the plug 21 from which a post 28 extends axially in the frameI1 and terminates in a firing point or pin 29 in ali-gnment with thering cap 25. The base 26 and the plug 21 form a closure for the outerend of the grenade body I0, the plug having the hole 3B therethrough fora fuse 3|, the linterior of the nose frame I1 constituting a firingchamber 32 for the fuse. When, after projecting of the shell, the impactnose 22 impacts the terrain or an obstruction and is shifted inwardly toexplode upon engagement of its firing cap with the firing pin 29, theignited fuse will, aftera predetermined time interval, ignite theexplosive charge in the grenade body I0.

Safety means for normally preventingY engagement of the impact nosefiring cap with the firing pin comprises a safety pin 33 and a retentionpin 34. The safety pin is shown in the form of a bar insertable throughthe opening 35 in the side of thenose frame I1 to extend normallydiametrally through the firing chamber 32 with its inner end resting ona ledge 36 at the-opposite side o-f the frame I1, the bar being thusnormally disposed between the firing cap and the firing pin, andthe barinwardly of its middle pointhaving upwardly extending cross ridges 31engaging the head23 vof the impact nose to hold it with its ridge 24normally in engagement with the inner side of the domed end I8 of theframe I1, as shown'on Figure 6.

The retention pin 34 is shown in the form ofV a fiat bar insertablethrough a passage 387m the side wall of the frame I1 for extensionradially in the firing chamber 32 with its inner end between the safetybar 33 andthe firing pin, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. A ring 39'at theouter end of the retention pin facilitates withdrawal thereof at. theproper time before the shell is to be thrown. Thus the safety pin andthe retention pin are normally interposed between the fir-ing pin andthe impact member firing cap.

AtV its-outer end the safety pin 33 has a head 4D`normally tting into arecessliI in theA framel I1 to shut off the firing chamber 32 from theexteriorya grip flange or knob 42 being formed at the outer end of thepinV so that it may be grasped forV manual pulling when the shellY is'tobe-thrown by hand;

A compression spring 43extending between the l side wall of frame I1 andthe safety pin 33 tends to swing the safety pin out of its normalposition (counterclockwise Figure '7) such swing being normally resistedby latch mechanism.- This latch mechanismcomprises a latch bolt 4l!Vshiftable in a bore 45 in the base wall-26 of the frame I1, the bore atits-inner end being closed by a plug 46.- The latch boltterminates in ahead 41 between which and the base 26 isinterposedy a spring 48 whichtends tofhold'the bolt out. The

latch bolt head has the latch pin- 49y extending therefrom forengagement' normally in the inner endvof a longitudinally extending slot53 in the end of the safety pin, from the outer'end of which slot atransverse slot` extends to the rear edge of the-safety pin, as shownonFigures 7- and' 9.. When the safety pin is thus held in itsnorrnalposition against swing by the spring 43,the spring 43 willurge the latchbolt upwardly against the inner end of the safety pin to hold the safetypin ridges Y3.1 against the `impact nose tohold this nose in its normalposition, as shown in Figure 6.

If the shellis to be thrown by hand, the safety pin 33 will rstv bereleased from the lath 130.11?

4 44, this being accomplished by a short outward pull of the safety pinto bring the outer end of the longitudinal slot 5l] into register withthe latch pin 49 so that the spring 43 may swing the safety pin with itsinner end away from the ledge 36 and with the central portion of thesafety pin away from its normal position between the impact member ringcap and the firing pin, as shown on Figure 9, the pin coming to restwhen its inner end strikes the wall of the frame I1 at the end of therecess 52 in the wall. After release of the safety pin, the retentionpin will stillbe in with its inner end between the firing cap and thefiring pin, and just before the shell is-thrown, the retention pin ispulled out. Now, when the projected impact nose hits the terrain orother obstruction, it will be shifted inwardly in the frame I1 forengagement of its firing cap with the firing pin, as shown in Figure 10.The impact nose or cartridge will then explode and create fire in thefiring chamber 32 for ignition of the fuse 3I and then ignition of theexplosive charge within the grenade body It). When the impact nose orcartridge is fired upon hitting the ground, the explosion thereof willtend to recoil and throw the vshell back up into the air, and therateof' burning or timing of the fuse 3I is such that .the explosive withinthe grenade bodyl I0 will be ignited when the shell is in the air aftersuch recoil or rebound, thus making the shell much more effective indestructiveness.

Provision is made for projecting the shell from a weapon such as amortar bya propelling charge as from a cartridge. For this purpose, the

Abodyi5 of the nn structure F is provided with a cylindrical axial bore53r` into which a bushing 54 may be inserted for seating a blankcartridge 55. Spring legs 56- onthe bushing will tend to hold itfrictionally in the bore 53, thecartridge being inserted through thebushing hole 51 for engagement of its end in the recess 58 in theextension I4 of thefinstruc'ture which is secured in the opening I3 ofthe grenade body IIJ. Now, when the shell is inserted intothe bore of amortar, andthe cartridge is red'by a ring pin, the shellwillbe projectedfrom themortar. To provideadditional projection force, powder or otherexplosive increments 59may beinserted in or through slots 60 in the nsI6 sothat when thecartridge 55-is-fired, the flame therefrom may passthrough openings 6 I in the n structure'body for firing oftheexplosivematerial 59.

Before the shell' is put' into` the mortar, the retention pin 34` isVwithdrawn. Now, when the shell-is projected from-the mortar, thelatchbolt 44- Will be automatically withdrawn to release the safety pin33'from-the latch pinA 49' for swing of the safety pin out of itsnormalposition by the spring 43 so that the' impact' nose 22 will be free toengage its ring cap with the firing pin when the impact nose strikes theground. This automatic action of the latch bolt is caused by the forceof inertia` when thel shell is projected from the mortar, this inertiaeffect on the latch bolt causing it to be shifted to withdraw the latchpin 49 from the slotv Ein the safety pin to permit the latchbolt to bemovedreadily into the bore 45 by the inertia effect, the bolt may beprovided witha longitudinal groove 62 for escape of' the air out of thebore 45fwhen the bolt is shifted thereinto.-

When theA shell is projected from' a mortar', the impact nose-orcartridgeZZ'will also beA subjectedrto inertia force tending to shift itinwardly.

As the mass of the:` impact nose isgreater'tharr that of the latch bolt44, and response of the bolt 44 to the inertia is resisted -by thespring 48, the safety pin 33 which normally rests at its outer end onthe bottom of the slot`35 and at its inner end on the shoulder 36, willabsorb and dissipate the inertia pressure of the impact nose before theinertia becomes effective to shift the latch bolt 44 for unlatching ofthe safety pin. The impact nose thus remains in its normal or outerposition until impact thereof with the ground and then, as the releasedsafety pin has been swung to its released position by the spring 43, theimpact nose will be shifted inwardly by the impact for engagement of itsfiring cap with the ring pin 29, the safety pin, during such inwardmovement of the impact nose, being swung down as shown on Figure 10. Ifthe shell is to be launched from a rifle, the bushing 54 is withdrawnfrom the bore of the n structure and an A, T. grenade launcher 63 isattached to a rie and its end projected into the n structure bore 53, asshown on Figure 4. For such rifle launching, powder increments 59 wouldnot be applied to the fins. The powder increment would be applied beforelaunching of the shell from a weapon such as a mortar, but would not beapplied for rifle launching or for hand throwing.

In the face of capture by an enemy, the retention pin could be pulledout and the safety pin released from the latch bolt so that the impactnose would be free and any attempt by the enemy to use the shell wouldprobably result in engagement of the impact cartridge with the ring pinand explosion of the shell during launching from a weapon such as amortar or rifle and with destruction of the enemy within range of theexplosion, The shell could also be used as a personal mine or booby trapafter withdrawal of the retention pin and release of the safety pin.

I have thus produced a shell which can be thrown by hand or launched bya propelling charge from weapons such as mortars or ries and which,after impact of the impact nose with the ground, will be hurled backinto the air for explosion of the grenade body while in the air `by thedelayed fuse connection,

I have shown a practical and eiilcient embodiment of my invention but Ido not desire to be limited to the exact construction, arrangement andoperation shown and described as changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim as follows:

1. In a shell of the type described, a grenade body containing explosivematerial, a nose frame secured to said body, a fuse connection betweenthe interior of said body and said nose frame, an impact member mountedin the end of said frame to project therefrom for axial inward movementupon impact, said impact element containing an explosive and having afiring cap therefor, a firing pin in said frame in the path of saidelement, a safety bar extending into said frame from the exteriorthereof to be normally disposed between said firing cap and pin toprevent engagement thereof, a spring tending. to swing said barlaterally out of its normal position, a safety latch normally engaged bythe inner end of said safety bar to hold said bar in normal positionagainst the force of said spring, means whereby said bar upon outwardmanual movement thereof will be released from said safety latch forswing by said spring out of its normal position, whereby, when saidshell is thrown and said impact member is impacted, said `firing cap maycome into engagement with said ring pin for explosion' of said impactmember and ignition of said fuse connection and the explosive materialin said grenade body.

2. In a shell of the type described a grenade body containing explosivematerial, a nose frame secured to said body, a fuse connection betweenthe interior of said body and said nose frame, an impact member mountedin the end of said frame to project therefrom for axial inward movementupon impact, said impact element containing an explosive and having a,firing cap therefor, a firing pin in said frame in the path of saidelement, a safety bar extending into said frame from the exteriorthereof to be normally disposed between said firing cap and pin toprevent engagement thereof, a spring tending to swing said bar out ofits normal position, a safety latch normally engaged by the inner end ofsaid safety bar to hold said bar in normal position against the force ofsaid spring, means whereby said bar upon outward manual movement thereofwill be released from said safety latch for swing by said spring out ofits normal position, whereby, when said shell is thrown and said impactelement is impacted, said ring cap may come into engagement with saidfiring pin for explosion of said impact element and ignition of saidfuse connection and the explosive material in said grenade body, saidfuse connection being timed so that the explosion of said impact elementmay rebound the shell back into the air before the explosive material insaid grenade body is ignited. v

3. A shell of the type described comprising a grenade body loaded withexplosive material and having a iin structure extending from one endthereof, a nose frame secured to the other end of said body and defininga firing chamber, a fuse connection between said firing chamber and theinterior of said grenade body, an impact member projecting through theouter end of said nose frame for inward movement therein upon impact onthe outer end thereof after projecting of the shell, said impact membercontaining explosive material and having a firing cap therefor, a firingpin within said firing chamber in the path of said firing cap when saidimpact element is shifted inwardly, said nose frame having an openingthrough one side and an internal shoulder on the other side, a safetybar extending through said opening for engaging with its inner end onsaid shoulder to be normaly between said impact element and firing pinand to hold said element in its outer position, a spring tending toswing said safety bar laterally out of its normal position, said bar atits inner end having a bayonet slot, a spring urged latch bolt having alatch pin normally extending into said slot to hold said safety bar onsaid shoulder and against swing by said spring, a short manual outwardmovement of said safety bar releasing the inner end of the slot fromsaid latch bolt pin whereby said spring becomes effective to swing saidsafety bar' out of its normal position for exposure of said ring pin tosaid firing cap when said impact member is shifted inwardly upon impactthereof after projection of the shell.

4. A shell of the type described comprising a grenade body loaded withexplosive material and having a iin structure extending from one endthereof, a nose frame secured to the other end of said body and deininga firing chamber, a fuse connection between said ring chamber and the 7interior of said-grenade body, an impact element projecting through theouter end of said nose frame rfor inward movement therein upon impact onthe outer end thereof after projecting of the shell, said impact elementcontaining explosive material and having a firing cap therefor, a firingpinvvithin said firing chamber in the path of said ring cap when saidimpact element is shifted inwardly, said nose frame having an openingthrough one side and an internal shoulder on the other side, a safetybar extending through said opening for engaging with its inner end onsaid shoulder to be normally betweensaid impact element and firing pinand to hold said element it its outer position, a spring tending toshift said safety bar out of its normal position, said bar at'its innerend having a latch slot, a spring urged latch bolt having a latch pinnormally extending into said slot to hold said safetybar on saidshoulder and against movement by said spring, said latch bolt, uponlaunching of the shell from a weapon such as a mortar or riiie, beingresponsive to inertia to withdraw its latch pin from the slot in saidsafety bar Jfor movement of the safety bar out'of normal positionV bysaid spring for exposure of said firing pin to said iiring cap when saidimpact element is shifted inwardly upon impact engagement with theterrain or other obstruction.

5. A shell of thev type described comprising a grenade body loaded withexplosive material and having an n structure extending from one endthereof, a nose frame secured to the other end of said body and dening afiring chamber, a fuse connection between said iring chamber and theinterior of said grenade body, an impact element mounted in the end ofsaid nose frame for inward movement upon impact of its outer end withthe ground when the shell is projected, said impact element containingexplosivematerial and having a ring cap, a firing pin in said firingchamber in the path of said firing cap when said impact element isshifted inwardly, said nose frame at one side having an opening and atits other side having an internal shoulder, a safety bar extendingthrough said opening to rest normally With itsinner end on said shoulderso as to be normally disposed below said impact element to hold it innormal position and to be interposed between the firing cap and the ringpin, a spring tending to swing said safety bar away from said shoulderfor exposure of the ring pin to the firing cap, said safety bar at itsinner end having a latch slot, the base of said nose frame having abore, a latch bolt movable inwardly in said bore and terminating at itsouter end in a latch pin, a spring for said latch Vbolt normally holdingit shifted out with its latch pin in said slot for holding said safetybar in normal position`v against the force of saidv rst mentionedspring, said latch bolt, upon projection of said shell under aprojecting charge, being' responsive to inertia to withdraw its pin fromsaid slot whereby said iirst mentioned spring may swing said safety barfor exposure of said firing pin to said ring cap for explosion of saidimpact element when it strikes the ground.

6. A grenade firing head having a chamber thereinA having ringconnection with the grenade interior, an explosive impact member withinsaid chamber havinga firing cap at its inner end, a firing pin in saidchamber in alignment with said ring cap, a safety bar extended throughsaid chamber from the exterior thereof and abutments normally holdingsaid bar against the lower end of said impact member to be interposedbetween the firing cap and the firing pin, a spring tending to shiftsaid bar from said abutments for exposure of the firing pin to thefiring cap, said bar at its inner end having a bayonet slot comprisingatransverse portion extending from one edge of the bar and an innerportion extending longitudinally of the bar, a lath pin normallyengaging inthe inner end of said slot to hold said bar againstdisplacement from its normal position by the spring, a slight outwardmovement oA said bar manually bringing the transverse end of said slotinto alignment with said pin whereby said spring may then shift said barout of its norma] position for firing of the impact member upon impactthereof with the ground When the shell is projected. Y

WILLIAM J. LOWES.

